Chapter 8

“ ... This is Jossie Carbonare reporting for WPBF 25, at the scene of the gruesome gangland slaying. We don’t yet have all the details, Gianna, but what we do know at this time...”

The scene shifted from the on-air reporter to a pre-recorded bit her cameraman had put together earlier, showing the outside of a home, presumably in Jupiter.

“Just as the sun fell this evening, shots rang out in this normally quiet middle class neighborhood, located in East Jupiter. This area is not known for gang on gang violence, but that all seems to have ended this evening, at least according to the Sheriff’s Deputies we’ve spoken to.

As you can see behind me, the small bungalow appears to have been through a hailstorm of bullets. Too many holes for us to count. The Deputies have told us, off camera, that there are 5 dead inside, 4 high-school aged girls and the mother of one of them.

No motive for the slayings have been brought forth, and the names of the young women have not yet been released. We do know that this house is registered with the county as being owned by one, Jolene Thomas, 38 and lives alone with a teenaged daughter.

We don’t yet no for sure that one of the local gangs were involved, but the Deputies assured us that considering the amount of gun fire, that was the most logical explanation...”

As the prerecorded clip ended, the reporter continues... “Reporting for WPBF 25, this is Jossie Carbonare, at 9184 Oleander. The Sheriff’s Deputies have just told us that all of the parents have been notified so they have now released the names of the dead girls.

Jolene Thomas, 38. Her daughter, Nikki Thomas, 15. Also in the house at the time of the shooting were three other high school friends of Nikki, Jane Parsons, 15, Raquel Monroe, 15 and Rachel Morrison, 16. There will be a candle light vigil at the high school this evening for all who wish to attend. This is Jossie Carbonare, on scene, back to you Gianna...”

The scene shifted to the studio, where the Anchors Gianna Caserta and Mark Kelly were looking into the camera, both showing the perfect amount of concern.

Gianna says, “Jossie, there were no other signs of gangland affiliation?”

Jossie speaks up, now off-camera, “No, Gianna. The Deputies have told me that they’ve visited this home quite often in the past, but only to break up fights between the daughter, Mikki Thomas and her mother, Jolene.”

Now Mark speaks up, “Jossie, was that Mikki Thomas, or...”

Jossie, still off camera, “Oh! Sorry Mark, you’re right, that was Nikki, with an “N” not Mikki. Whoop, my camera man and I need to get to the High School where the Sheriff is planning a press conference shortly. We’ll see what more information we can get there.”

Gianna glances over to her fellow on air anchor and says, “Well Mark, there you have it, more gang on gang violence occuring in our peaceful community.” Then, looking back at the camera, she continues, “we’ll have more coverage of this multi-person shooting at 11, for WPBF 23 News at 5, this is Gianna Caserta. Good Evening”

click

Mateo, having just listened to the broadcast new two things. First was, it was the wrong god damned house! He verified that by re-reading the slip of paper El Jefe had passed to him. “We were supposed to be at 9148, and that news bitch said it was 9184. Shit, shit, shit!”

On the one bright side of this whole fiasco, it would appear that the cops think Alicia was the broad’s daughter. But where is the daughter now, he wondered.